Joystiq

Torne application on PS Vita allows for remote TV recording and viewing

Ben Gilbert — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 23:55:00 EST

Sony's hardware-based Torne service is heading to the PlayStation Vita, albeit in application form. Sony head of worldwide studios Shuhei Yoshida introduced the application live on-stage during today's second keynote, demonstrating the ability to navigate television listings, remotely set up recordings, and stream television, all via the PlayStation Vita and its Torne application.

Yoshida never stated an exact release date, but he implied that the application would launch with the Vita in Japan this December. And as you might expect, the application is thus far only slated for the Japanese market.

Torne application on PS Vita allows for remote TV recording and viewing originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 14 Sep 2011 23:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PSN service coming back in Asia tomorrow, Welcome Back package detailed

JC Fletcher — Fri, 27 May 2011 09:35:00 EST

While there were some extra ... hurdles before PlayStation Network services could be restored in Japan, Sony announced that the phased renewal of network services for Japan and other Asian territories will go through tomorrow -- except for Korea and Hong Kong, whose service renewal "will be announced as soon as ready." Like North America and Europe, the services coming back include online play, sign-in (with password change), and Home. The torne DVR thing will also be usable again.

When the PlayStation Store does return, PSN members in Asia will have their own PS3 and PSP Welcome Back packages, from which to choose two games for each system. And they're ... different. Instead of games like Dead Nation and Infamous, PS3 owners can choose from the following five games:

The Last Guy
LocoRoco Cocoreccho!
echochrome
WipEout HD
Hustler King

And for PSP, the choices include:

Yuhshanokuseninamaikida or2 PSP(R) the Best (What Did I Do to Deserve This, My Lord!? 2)
Everybody's Stress Buster (Hot Shots Shorties)
PATAPON2 PSP(R) the Best
LittleBigPlanet Portable
LocoRoco -Midnight Carnival-

Users also get 30 days free PlayStation Plus access, Home stuff, free "select" movie rentals, and a month of "Platinya" membership for the weekly news program/cat minigame collection Weekly Toro Station.

PSN service coming back in Asia tomorrow, Welcome Back package detailed originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 27 May 2011 09:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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320GB PS3 bundled with Torne DVR in Japan

JC Fletcher — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 17:14:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Sony has introduced yet another PlayStation 3 variant to the Japanese market, for those who weren't already confused enough about whether to buy the system in white, black, or blue, with or without a game, with a 160GB or 320GB hard drive, and with or without the Torne DVR add-on.

The latest PS3 bundle, available in Japan November 18 at ¥39,980 ($480) includes a Charcoal Black PS3 with a 320GB hard drive, and a Torne tuner. In addition, Sony also announced that it will market a longer USB cable for charging PS3 controllers. "Through the introduction of this new bundle pack and peripheral, SCEJ will continue to further expand the PS3 platform and create a new world of computer entertainment that is only possible on PlayStation." Charging from 2 meters away -- you can't get that anywhere else.

320GB PS3 bundled with Torne DVR in Japan originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 05 Oct 2010 17:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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White PS3 Slim, larger hard drives offered in Japan

JC Fletcher — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 10:28:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

[GAME Watch]

If you were in the market for a white PS3 Slim, but didn't want one with Lightning all up on it, you're in luck! Sony Japan has just introduced a new "Classic White" system, along with a new white vertical stand and, of course, Classic White DualShock 3 controllers. The new system is outfitted with a 160GB hard drive. The 160GB PS3 will retail for 29,980 ($341).

In addition, Sony is selling the "Charcoal Black" PS3 Slim in a 160GB Torne digital recorder bundle, for ¥36,980 ($421), and a version with a luxurious 320GB hard drive (and no Torne) for ¥34,980 ($398). All of these are going on sale -- in Japan only -- on July 29. The current 120GB PS3 Slim is now going "open price," meaning retailers can drop the price at their discretion.

White PS3 Slim, larger hard drives offered in Japan originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 06 Jul 2010 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Japanese retailers selling out of PS3 'torne' DVR peripheral

Griffin McElroy — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 15:15:00 EST

We wouldn't have thought a digital video recorder attachment for the PS3 would be a particularly hot seller in Japan, but the neverending lines spiraling from the front doors of Japanese retailers are proving otherwise. Andriasang recently passed along a Famitsu report explaining how shops are quickly selling out of the standalone version of the torne DVR peripheral -- though the 250GB PS3 which comes with the device built into its frame isn't selling quite as expediently.

If the device's popularity has inspired you to import one, you should know that it's only capable of recording Japanese terrestrial TV signals. As such, we also suggest you simultaneously purchase around 5,500 miles of coaxial cable.

Japanese retailers selling out of PS3 'torne' DVR peripheral originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 19 Mar 2010 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PS3's Torne DVR launching in Japan March 18

JC Fletcher — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 23:00:00 EST

If you want to pick up the Torne PS3 DVR unit, March 18 is the day to do that. If you're buying a PS3 for the first time and hoping to get the bundle, you should know that the package (which includes a PS3 with a 250GB hard drive and the Torne unit for ¥42,800 or $466.52) will be available in "limited quantities." You should also know that this is designed for Japanese terrestrial TV signals, and isn't likely to work outside of that country.

On Saturdays throughout February and early March, Sony will hold demonstrations of the Torne device in electronics stores in Tokyo and Osaka, as well as Sony's own Ginza Sony Building.

PS3's Torne DVR launching in Japan March 18 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 16 Feb 2010 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Officially licensed external PS3 HDDs hitting Japan for 'torne'

Randy Nelson — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 23:00:00 EST

Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. has given its official endorsement to two upcoming 500 gigabyte external USB hard drives for PS3 -- in Japan. The Buffalo HD-AV500U2 (pictured) and HD-CL500U2 are the first add-on storage solutions to receive Sony's blessings, and are being released overseas in March to coincide with the launch of the PS3's "torne" DVR hardware / software combo.

Apart from the fact that they're officially licensed, neither drive boasts any special features that make them usable only with PS3; in fact, the tower design HD-CL500U2 (¥11,800 / $130) is essentially one of Buffalo's external HDDs already available in the US, with a model number change. The HD-AV500U2 is designed to fit into existing entertainment center setups and features a blue LED display on its front that shows remaining disk space. It's selling for ¥14,800 ($164).

[Via Andriasang]

Officially licensed external PS3 HDDs hitting Japan for 'torne' originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 02 Feb 2010 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PS3's Torne could give you Trophies for watching TV

Andrew Yoon — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 21:30:00 EST

Hayden Panettiere desperately trying to get off her show.

Surely, you deserve some award for sitting through a season, nay, an episode, of Heroes. Torne, a new DVR service for Japanese PS3s, may do just that. A new report in Famitsu (via 1UP) suggests that Torne will offer viewers Trophies. "It's compatible with the PS3 trophy system, and you can get trophies for things like watching final episodes from a lot of TV series, for example," SCE's Kiyoto Shibuya told the magazine. Being able to unlock Trophies should make the Sony's DVR offering a "uniquely PlayStation product."

We've already brainstormed a few possible Trophy selections. How about a Gold "Otaku" Trophy for watching all 366 (and counting) episodes of Naruto? Here's an idea that could save network TV: a Bronze Trophy every time you refuse to hit fast-forward through the commercials?

PS3's Torne could give you Trophies for watching TV originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 20 Jan 2010 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PS3 TV tuner/DVR out in Japan in March

JC Fletcher — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 11:15:00 EST

[Andriasang]

Sony Japan has just announced the goofiest, but most interesting DVR device since the TiVo. torne (yes, lower case, and pronounced "torn-eh") is a USB TV tuner that connects to the PS3 and allows users to watch, search, and record television through that system. DVR'd shows can be saved either to the PS3's hard drive or a USB-connected external drive. The device can record even while the PS3 is engaged in a Blu-Ray or game. Shows can also be watched on a PSP using Remote Play or transferred to a Memory Stick.

torne will be available separately this March for ¥9,980 ($108.78) or bundled with a 250GB PS3 for ¥42,800 ($466.52). No release has been announced in any other region, though Sony has already released the PlayTV, a different TV tuner peripheral, in Europe.

PS3 TV tuner/DVR out in Japan in March originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 14 Jan 2010 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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